Rules Differ for Penalty Phase of Criminal CasesNPR's Noah Adams speaks with Slate legal analyst Dahlia Lithwick about the different rules governing the penalty phases of criminal trials in the United States. California is one state that has separate phases for the prosecution and sentencing of defendants; the sentencing phase in the trial of convicted murderer Scott Peterson begins next week.

Rules Differ for Penalty Phase of Criminal Cases

Rules Differ for Penalty Phase of Criminal Cases

NPR's Noah Adams speaks with Slate legal analyst Dahlia Lithwick about the different rules governing the penalty phases of criminal trials in the United States. California is one state that has separate phases for the prosecution and sentencing of defendants; the sentencing phase in the trial of convicted murderer Scott Peterson begins next week.